Metal wheel



(No Model.) Q

J. R. LITTLE.

METAL WHEEL.

No. 475,582. Patented May 24, 1892.

I s 1 v 15 z UNITED STATES PATENT FFIcE.

JAMES R. LITTLE, OF QUINCY, ILLINOIS.

METALWHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 475,582, dated May 24,1892.

Application filed May 18, 1891. Serial No. 393,207. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES R. LITTLE, of Quincy, in the county of Adams,and in the State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Metal \Vheels;

and I do hereby declare that the following is vention, portions ofspokes being shown as secured therein. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectionthereof; Fig. 3, a perspective View of the parts of my spoke containingand holding device before their union, and Fig. 4 a detail section onthe line 00 0c of Fig. 2.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in all of the figures.

The design of my invention is to make certain improvements in hubs formetal wheels and the mode of attachment thereto of the wheel-spokes,whereby the latter may be most firmly and securely united to the hub;and to this end it consists in the means employed, substantially as andfor the purpose hereinafter specified.

The invention which forms the subject-matter of this specification contemplates a specific embodiment of the broad ideaof compressing upon aspoke the metal of all or a portion of the hub that incloses it for thepurpose of effecting the union of the hub and spoke, as set forth in myapplication, Serial No. 393,208,v

filed May 18, 1891.

In constructing a hub in accordance with my present invention I placeupon an axlebox A, cylindrical in form and having the usualaxle-journaling opening a, two spokeattaching devices B B, whosespecific structure will presently be described. These devices B are heldat a fixed distance apart upon the box A by means of a hollowcylindrical sleeve or tubular distance-piece O, encircling the box at ornear its longitudinal center; whose opposite ends abut against the inneradjacent faces of said spoke-attaching devices. These three parts areconfined or held in place upon the box by means of a shoulder or flangea at one end thereof, against which the outer face of one of the devicesB abuts, and by a nut D, engaging external thread at the other end ofthe box, which nut bears against the outer face of the other of thedevices B.

Each spoke securing or attaching device consists of two rings 1) and b,the latter in closing the former, when the hub is complete. From theinner ring h, which directly encircles the axle-box A at one side, thereprojects outwardly an annular flange b while from the outer ring I), atits side, but the one opposite the flange of the other, there projectsinwardly an annular flange b The diameter of the flange b of the ring bis the same as the internal diameter of the outer ring Z) and theinternal diameter of the flange b the same as the external diameter ofthe ring 6, so as to enable the latter ring to be placed within theother, as above indicated. In an axial line the dimensions of the tworings are the same. Perforating the outer ring I) is a series ofradially-extending spoke-openings b whose location is such that one edgeof the same is in line with the inner face of the flange of the ring 1).Through each spokeopening is passed the inner end portion of a spoke E,so as to place the same into position to be engaged by the inneradjacent faces of the ring-flanges b 17 (which at this stage are plane,)and when so placed it is secured therein by subjecting said rings bysome suitable means to such pressure as will compress them upon thespoke portion they inclose. The joint thus formed will be most secureand firm and one possessing all the strength and rigidity needful for itto have in practical use. To enable the rings to be compressed as abovedescribed, they are made of malleable iron, while the spokes are eitherwrought iron or steel. Should it be found desirable, I comtemplateproviding preliminary to putting the parts together cavities in thefaces of the ring-flanges to be coincident with the openings in theouter ring for the reception of the end portions of the spokes whenpassed through such openings.

To look or secure the rings together when compressed upon the spokes,the outer edge of the inner ring I) is turned outwardly over thecontiguous portion of the outer ring-flange b and the inner edge 11 ofthe outer ring I), turned inwardly over the contiguous portion of theinner ring-flange 17 These operations may be performed either at thesame time that the rings are compressed upon the spokes or subsequently.Preferably in making a wheel the outer extremities of the spokes aresecured to the rim and thelattertrued before the hub and spokes areunited.

My object in providing the two spoke-securing devices 13 B, as shown,isto enable the spokes to be dodged or staggered but if this latterarrangement should not be desired it will be understood that with propermodification of the other parts of the hub one of such devices alone maybe used. When two are used, I prefer to arrange the devices withreference to each other so that the sides thereofadjaeent shall be theones havingthe flange b of the outer ring b.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. As animprovement in metal wheels, in combination, a spoke or spokes and thetwopart device compressed upon the same, the parts of said device beingsuitably held together, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. As an improvement in metal wheels, in combination with the spokes,the spoke-attaching device consisting of two rings having adjoiningfaces between which said spokes are placed and have compressed upon themthe contiguous metal thereof, said rings being suitably held together,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. As an improvement in metal wheels, in combination with the spokes,the spoke-attaching device consisting of two rings, one in closing theother, between adjoining faces of which said spokes are placed and havecompressed upon them the contiguous metal thereof, substantially as andfor the purpose specified.

4. As an improvement in metal wheels, in combination with the spokes,the spoke-attaching device consisting of two rings having parallelannular flanges between which said spokes are placed and have compressedupon them the contiguous metal thereof, substan- 5o tially as and forthe purpose shown.

5. As an improvement in metal Wheels, in combination with the spokes,the spoke-attaching device consisting of two rings, one having anoutwardly-projecting flange and the other an inwardly-projectingflange,which flanges are compressed upon said spokes, substantially asand for the purpose set forth.

6. As an improvement in metal wheels, in combination with the spokes,the spoke-attaching device consisting of two rings, an inner and outer,the former having an outwardly-projecting annular flange, the latter aninwardly-projecting annular flange, and the outer ring havingspoke-openings through which said spokes are passed, so as to be placedbetween said flanges, which are compressed upon them, substantially asand for the purpose described.

7. As an improvement in wheels, a metal hub having two ring partscompressed upon the spokes and held together by having the edge of onering part turned over against the other part, substantially as and forthe purpose shown.

8. As an improvement in wheels, 2. metal hub having a spoke-holding partconsisting of two rings, one of which ineloses the other, the said ringsbeing held together by having one edge of the inner ring upset over theadjaeent portion of the outer ring and one edge of the outer ring upsetover the adjacent portion of the inner ring, substantially as and forthe purpose specified- 9. As an improvementin metal wheels, incombination, an axle-box, spoke-attaching devices thereon consisting oftwo-part rings compressed upon the spokes, and suitable means to holdsaid devices upon said box, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this4th day of May, 1891.

JAMES R. LITTLE.

Vtitnesses:

EDWARD A. ROGERS, GUSTAVE A. BAUMAN.

